Gulf Islands National Seashore
Designation: National Seashore
Location: Florida, Mississippi
📘 Park Overview
Millions of visitors are drawn to the Gulf of America for Gulf Islands National Seashore's emerald coast waters, magnificent white beaches, fertile marshes and historical landscapes. Come explore with us today!
🌤 Weather Information
Weather along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico can change quickly. During the winter temperatures range from 40-70 degrees fahrenheit, rain is less common than other seasons. Snow and freezing temperatures are not common. During the summer temperatures range from 70-100+ degrees fahrenheit. Rain is common during the summer with many thunderstorms. Hurricanes impact the area during the tropical storm season between June and November. Tornadoes can impact the area during the Spring and Fall.
🚗 Directions
Gulf Islands National Seashore is a place of myriad riches - blue-green, sparkling waters, magnificent white beaches, and fertile coastal marshes. Its 13 areas include historic forts, shaded picnic areas, trails, and campgrounds. From Cat Island, Mississippi, it stretches eastward 160 miles tot he Okaloosa Area east of For Walton Beach, Florida.
Images
A National Park Service ferry navigates the Pensacola Bay to Fort Pickens.
Credit: NPS/Doggrell
Fort Barrancas and Spanish Water Battery sit on Naval Air Station Pensacola.
Credit: NPS/Doggrell
Fort Massachusetts sits on Ship Island in the Gulf off Mississippi.
Credit: NPS/Bernstiel
The Santa Rosa Area is the stech of beach between Navarre and Pensacola Beach. There is a fee area called Opal Beach.
Credit: NPS/Doggrell
The maritime forest sits on the Santa Rosa Sound in the Naval Live Oaks Area, fee free area in Gulf Breeze, Florida.
Credit: NPS/Doggrell
Davis Bayou is a fee free area in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Home to beautiful nature area.
Credit: NPS/Breault
Perdido Key Area is a fee area featuring 7 crossovers, 2 pavilions, and 4 parking lots on the Gulf and Sound.
Credit: NPS/Wade
A National Park Service ferry navigates the Pensacola Bay to Fort Pickens.
Credit: NPS/Doggrell
Fort Barrancas and Spanish Water Battery sit on Naval Air Station Pensacola.
Credit: NPS/Doggrell
Fort Massachusetts sits on Ship Island in the Gulf off Mississippi.
Credit: NPS/Bernstiel
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
Entrance Passes
3-Day Weather Forecast
Monday, Mar 30
Partly Cloudy
High: 73.8°F | Low: 64°F
Humidity: 82%
Wind: 14.1 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 1.4
Sunrise: 06:41 AM
Sunset: 07:07 PM
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (90%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 65.1°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Tuesday, Mar 31
Mist
High: 72.1°F | Low: 66.2°F
Humidity: 92%
Wind: 12.8 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 2
Sunrise: 06:39 AM
Sunset: 07:08 PM
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (95%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 67.5°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Wednesday, Apr 1
Overcast
High: 72.7°F | Low: 65.7°F
Humidity: 93%
Wind: 15.9 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 2
Sunrise: 06:38 AM
Sunset: 07:08 PM
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (99%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 67°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (1)
Rip Current Statement issued March 29 at 9:37PM CDT until March 30 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Mobile AL
Effective: Mar 29, 2026 10:37pm
Expires: Mar 30, 2026 7:00am
* WHAT...Dangerous rip currents.
* WHERE...In Alabama, Mobile Coastal and Baldwin Coastal
Counties. In Florida, Escambia Coastal, Santa Rosa Coastal and
Okaloosa Coastal Counties.
* WHEN...Through Monday afternoon.
* IMPACTS...Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away
from shore into deeper water.
Park Alerts
Park Events
Ship Island Excursions Ferry Service to Ship Island
Join a National Park Service ranger on a one-hour Ship Island Excursions ferry ride to Ship Island where you can have access to ranger-led programs in Fort Massachusetts and a private swim beach.
The swim beach is a quarter of a mile walk on a boardwalk from the fishing pier. There is very little shade on the island and no transportation. Food and umbrellas are for purchase at an additional cost on the swim beach.
No pets are allowed on the ferry. Fishing is only permitted on the sound side beach.
Location: Port of Gulfport ferry pier.
Date: Mar 14, 2026 12:00am to Oct 31, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Pensacola Bay City Ferry Service to Fort Pickens
Join a park ranger on a National Park Service ferry ride trip from Pensacola to Gulf Islands National Seashore's Fort Pickens Area then to Pensacola Beach.
Once you arrive at Fort Pickens if you choose to get off, you will have a either 2.5 hours or 5 hours to recreate and enjoy the historic fortifications, private beaches, bike paths, fishing pier and visitor center.
Ferry departure times from Fort Pickens to Pensacola Beachthree times a day.
Date: Mar 14, 2026 12:00am to Nov 28, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
🏤 Mailing Address:
1801 Gulf Breeze Parkway
Gulf Breeze, FL 32563
📞 Voice Phone: 850-934-2600
✉️ Email: guis_information@nps.gov